Najib Src Trial Najib Declined Gift Of Stallions Anifah

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The criminal trial of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak involving the alleged misappropriation of funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd enters day 79 today at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysiakini brings you live reports of the proceedings

Summary of Najib’s SRC RM42 million caseNajib is facing 7 charges relating to RM42m involving SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary
1 abuse of power charge3 criminal breach of trust (CBT) charges3 money laundering chargesClick to view information on judge, prosecution and defence team9.58am - The High Court allows DPP V Sithambaram's application for a one-hour break
Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali allows this when the DPP says that the prosecution was only served with a copy of former foreign minister Anifah Aman's witness statement around 2am this morning
Sithambaram says that the prosecution needs this time to prepare questions for cross-examination of the sixth defence witness, Anifah
Earlier, lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah wrapped up a brief examination-in-chief of Anifah
9.53am - Former foreign minister Anifah Aman describes the meeting between former premier Najib Abdul Razak and King Abdullah in Riyadh as an official one
During the examination-in-chief by counsel Shafee Abdullah, Anifah testified:"In foreign affairs, when the meeting of two heads of state is arranged by Wisma Putra, it is considered an official meeting."9.51am - Former foreign minister Anifah Aman wraps up reading out the full content of his witness statement
Lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah then begins asking questions for examination-in-chief
Najib declines gift of stallions by King Abdullah, says Anifah 9.49am - Former foreign minister Anifah Aman testifies that the then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak had declined King Abdullah's offer who wished to give him stallions after he praised the paintings of Arabian stallions at the Riyadh Conference Palace in Saudi
In reading his witness testimony, Anifah testified: "Najib politely declined the offer as he does not ride horses
"Such an offer clearly was a manifestation of the close relations between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia."'Jamil confirmed to Najib that Saudi King wanted donation entered into Najib's account'9.45am - Former foreign minister Anifah Aman testifies that then minister in the prime minister's department Jamil Khir Baharom confirmed to then premier Najib Abdul Razak that King Abdullah wished for the donation be channelled into Najib's personal account
The sixth defence witness says this while reading out from his witness statement during examination-in-chief by lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah
Anifah testifies he was among the Malaysian delegation at an unofficial meeting with King Abdullah at Riyadh in early January, 2010
He confirms that among the ones in attendance were Najib, then Malaysian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Syed Omar Syed Mohammad Al Saggaf, Jamil Khir, and himself (Anifah)
Anifah says that after Najib had a confidential talk with Saudi ruler King Abdullah after the unofficial meeting, and as he, Najib and Jamil Khir were leaving the meeting hall, Anifah overheard Najib asking Jamil Khir whether Najib was correct in understanding that King Abdullah wanted the financial donation to be channelled into Najib's personal account
"As we were exiting, the prime minister (Najib) had sought clarification from Jamil Khir regarding the confidential dialogue between him and King Abdullah as to whether he was correct in understanding that King Abdullah preferred the financial donation the King was making be transferred to Najib's personal bank account
"I took note of this seriously as Najib was simultaneously talking to both of us
"Jamil confirmed the accuracy of the prime minister's understanding
"It was understood that King Abdullah did not want this contribution of money be vaguely disbursed and may pose problems in their disbursement
"Putting the money in the personal account of the prime minister would bring about easier controls," Anifah says
9.38am - Former foreign minister Anifah Aman (above), 66, begins reading out from his witness statement in examination-in-chief by lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah
9.33am - Former foreign minister Anifah Aman enters the witness stand to testify as the sixth defence witness in Najib's RM42 million SRC International trial
9.30am - Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak enters the dock as proceedings begin
Former foreign minister Anifah Aman is the sixth defence witness slated to testify on the 79th day of former premier Najib Abdul Razak's RM42 million SRC International trial
During previous proceedings before the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Wednesday this week, lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said that they will take steps for Anifah to take the witness stand today
In the course of the defence stage of trial since Dec 3 last year, those who have given oral evidence were Najib himself, former AmBank relationship manager Krystle Yap, former Malaysian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Syed Omar Syed Mohammad Al-Saggaf, former Treasury secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, and former minister in the prime minister's department in charge of Islamic affairs Jamil Khir Baharom
During examination-in-chief by Shafee two days ago, Jamil Khir among others testified that he was made to understand that then Saudi ruler King Abdullah Abdul Aziz al-Saud had promised financial aid to Najib to help strengthen his (Najib) position when the 13th General Election comes in 2013
Jamil Khir claimed the promise was made at the sidelines of an informal meeting between a Najib-led Malaysian delegation and King Abdullah in Riyadh on Jan 11, 2010
However, during cross-examination by DPP V Sithambaram, Jamil Khir, who used to be a member of Najib's cabinet, admitted that he was informed by the accused about the alleged promise of financial aid by King Abdullah. - Mkini

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